Everything You Need to Know About Having a Home Birth (UK Edition)

What Is a Home Birth, Exactly?

With Calvin Harris sharing his recent homebirth- congratulations to the lovely family- lots of people are now asking this. A home birth is simply when you give birth in your own home instead of a hospital or birth centre. For many people, this feels natural, safe, and right — you’re in your own space, surrounded by familiar things, supported by professionals and people you trust.

In the UK, you’re legally entitled to plan a home birth — and your NHS trust will provide midwives to support you. Often, this will be a team of midwives that you will of gotten to know during pregnancy, which studies have shown is a huge benefit of having a homebirth.

Is Home Birth Safe?

Yes — when planned for low-risk pregnancies, home birth is just as safe as hospital birth, and actually for second time mums it has been shown to be safer.

The Birthplace Study (2011) — the largest UK study of its kind — found excellent outcomes for planned home births, especially for people having their second or third babies. Midwives are trained to monitor you closely and act quickly if anything changes. They bring a huge supply of medical equipment with them, you have 1 to 1 care from your midwife during labour and at the time of your babies birth there will be second midwife present.

Transfers do happen, but they’re usually not emergencies — often due to a longer labour or wanting stronger pain relief.

Why Do People Choose to Give Birth at Home?

There are MANY befits of choosing a homebirth. Giving birth at home can offer:

Comfort – Your bed, your bathroom, your snacks!
Privacy – Fewer interruptions, no shift changes. This means your labour is often able to progress efficiently as your powerful birthing hormones are free to flow.
Control – Choose your lighting, music, who’s present, and how you move. You can also guarantee access to a birth pool at home.
Less intervention – Statistically fewer episiotomies, forceps, or caesareans for planned home births.
Safety– studies show better outcomes for second time Mums by choosing a homebirth
Continuity – You are likely to be assigned to the homebirth team in pregnancy and to get to know them. You may get the same midwives throughout your labour. Studies have shown that continuity of care has dramatic benefits in how your birth unfolds.

It’s not about being brave — it’s about feeling supported and in control. Most women who choose a homebirth report high levels of satisfaction with their birth experience, which has a direct effect on your post partum experience.

Can I Have a Home Birth if It’s My First Baby?

Yes, you can. It is just as safe for a low risk mum to choose a homebirth. While first-time parents have slightly higher transfer rates- around 3 to 4 in 10, this is normally not for an emergency but labour taking longer or Mum wanting stronger pain relief.

Talk to your midwife about your options — it’s your right to plan a home birth, and they will be able to give you more information and help support you.

What Do I Need for a Home Birth?

You don’t need a lot — just a bit of prep. Here’s a simple home birth checklist:

Clean towels (some old)
Shower curtain or waterproof sheeting
A birth pool (if you’d like a water birth) you can hire one here
Cosy lighting and music
Snacks and drinks- stock up the fridge with your favourite snacks and treats, and don’t forget for the midwives too!
A TENS machine (optional)
Bin bags, spare bedding, baby clothes and nappies
You also have your other tools we cover on our Hypnobirthing course such as the birth comb, aromatherapy, orb balls etc.

Your NHS midwives will bring medical essentials: monitoring tools, gas & air, resuscitation equipment, and so much more.

It is a good idea to also pack a hospital bag incase of transfer- see my suggested hospital bag lost here.

What About Pain Relief?

You won’t have access to an epidural at home, but there are plenty of other pain relief options! Popular home birth comfort measures include:

Hypnobirthing (powerful mindset, breathing and comfort inducing tools)
Warm water (in the bath, shower or a birth pool)
TENS machine
Massage, movement, upright positions
Gas & air (Entonox)

Being at home, in a calm environment, can actually reduce how intense labour feels for many people, your birthing hormones will be stronger keeping you more comfortable, and you’ll be moving into positions that feel right to you. Also don’t forget, the safer and more relaxed you feel in your environment, the higher your comfort levels are likely to be.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Midwives are trained to spot early signs of problems and act fast. If transfer is needed, they’ll organise it calmly and quickly.

Most transfers are for non-urgent reasons like slow progress or wanting stronger pain relief. You’ll still be cared for every step of the way.

How to Plan Your Home Birth

Talk to your midwife or GP as early as possible.
Create a birth plan that reflects your preferences. I can help you with this and so will your midwife.
Book a hypnobirthing course to prepare mentally, physically and emotionally.
Get your birth space ready with whatever makes you feel relaxed.

You don’t have to do this alone — there’s plenty of support out there! You can join local homebirth groups, chat with people online, and get other Mums real life experiences. Read this gorgeous home birth of a first time Mum who attended a course with me and went on to have an incredible homebirth.

Final Thoughts

A home birth is a calm, safe, empowering option — not just for celebrities like Calvin Harris, but for real families all over the UK. If it’s something you’re curious about, start asking questions and gathering information.

Even if your plans change, the preparation will never be wasted. Studies have shown that women who opt for a home birth, even if they don’t end up giving birth at home, have a better experience.

Want to Feel Calm and Confident About Birth?

I run highly-rated hypnobirthing courses in Newbury that prepare you for all types of birth — including home births, hospital births, and everything in between.

You’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and ready — with ongoing support included.